7 Effective Solutions For Laryngitis

Your larynx—also known as your voice box—is the structure in your throat that contains your vocal cords. It's located down behind the Adam's apple. And if it becomes inflamed or swollen, you've got laryngitis.

The primary symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness or trouble speaking, not pain, says Brett Comer, MD, a head and neck surgeon at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. While a sore throat and laryngitis often go hand-in-hand and tend to have overlapping causes, any pain you experience swallowing or when you cough is, technically, not laryngitis, he explains.

"We tend to break down laryngitis as either acute or chronic," says Boris Bentsianov, MD, an ear, nose, and throat doctor with a private practice in Brooklyn, New York.

Acute forms last a few days to weeks, and are usually caused by upper respiratory infections, Bentsianov says. Allergies, a bacterial or fungal infection, inhaling irritants (like cigarette smoke), or acid reflux are also common causes of acute laryngitis.

"It can also be mechanically induced if someone has a job that requires a lot of speaking and projection, like a singer or a teacher," he adds. Comer says these sorts of occupations can also lead to recurring or "chronic" laryngitis. Throat nodules, tumors, and cancer can also cause persistent, won't-go-away hoarseness or speaking issues.

"If you've lost your voice and you have a sore throat, and you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, and that's going on for a couple weeks, it's time to see someone," Comer says. That's especially true for smokers or heavy drinkers, who are at greater risk for throat cancers, he adds.

Assuming you have run-of-the-mill, short-term laryngitis, what can you do? Here are 7 solutions. (Heal your whole body with Rodale's 12-day liver detox for total body health.)

Along with singers and those who must speak loudly for their jobs, some people may experience laryngitis simply because of the shape or anatomy of their throat and skull, Comer says. "Depending on how you're built, it may take more effort for you to really project and make yourself heard," he explains. Whatever the cause of your worn-out vocal cords, resting your voice is one of the best ways to relieve laryngitis, he says. Just don't whisper. "When you whisper, you're using muscles in the voice box that aren't meant to be overused, and so whispering a lot can actually make things worse," he explains.

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Drink lots of fluids.

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Drinking fluids and keeping your throat hydrated and lubricated is important for a quick recovery, Comer says. Water is best. Skip anything with caffeine, which can dehydrate you, he adds. Also, don't drink soda, which can cause or worsen the kinds of acid reflux issues that can lead to laryngitis.

Allergies—whether to pets, pollen, or peanuts—can lead to throat irritation and inflammation, which could result in laryngitis, Comer says. If you experience laryngitis every few weeks or months and you're not sure why, taking your allergy meds and avoiding your allergy triggers could help, he adds.

Add "no more laryngitis" to the mile-long list of reasons to quit smoking, Bentsianov says. Also, if your job or hobby exposes you to chemical or paint fumes, wood dust, or other irritants, wearing a mask and making sure your space is properly ventilated can cut down your exposure—and your risk.

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Gargle with salt water.

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While the evidence in support of this remedy is somewhat anecdotal, Comer says he does it himself. "Salt water soothes and has antimicrobial properties," he says. If your laryngitis is accompanied by a sore throat, or you think it's due to a bacterial infection like strep throat, gargling with salt water should help, he adds.

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Buy a humidifier.

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Your vocal cords are made up of three layers. And it's the middle, gel-like layer that tends to become swollen or inflamed during a bought of laryngitis, Comer explains. Keeping a humidifier running when the weather turns dry can help keep that gel layer hydrated and healthy (one to try: Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier). Just be sure to clean your humidifier per its instructions. If you don't, you risk inhaling irritants or bacteria that can build up in a dirty water reservoir.

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